Analysis of TOPAZ II and SPACE-R space nuclear power plants using a modified thermionic model. Master's thesis

Technical Report · Mon Mar 01 00:00:00 EST 1993

OSTI ID:6552200

Habedank, O D

Models based on the TDS thermionic diode model were developed for TOPAZ II and SPACER nuclear power systems. Several parameter studies were conducted with the TOPAZ II model. These determined system performance and efficiency while varying the following: (1) Coolant flow inlet temperatures. (2) Rate of coolant temperature change. (3) Power profile of the core. (4) Cesium reservoir temperature. Analysis of results indicate the model accurately represented the TOPAZ II system, underestimating published data by 10%. Coolant flow studies indicate that raising coolant temperatures up to 100 K higher increases system power by up to 5%. Additional increases in temperature result in gradual performance degradation. Varying the axial power profile of the core from the actual peaked profile to a flat profile results in a negligible 0.3% change in system performance. The peaked profile used in TOPAZ II produces the highest system efficiency of all the profiles modeled. The cesium pressure study indicates the system is operating above optimum cesium pressure and system performance is strongly dependent on cesium pressure. Increasing cesium reservoir temperature above design temperature by 30 K decreases system efficiency by 30%.

• Research Organization: Air Force Inst. of Tech., Wright-Patterson AFB, OH (United States). School of Engineering
• OSTI ID: 6552200
• Report Number(s): AD-A-262612/5/XAB; AFIT/GNE/ENP-93M-03
• Resource Relation: Other Information: Master's thesis
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS
REACTOR COMPONENTS
FUNCTIONAL MODELS
SPACE POWER REACTORS
TOPAZ REACTOR
CESIUM
ELECTRIC POWER
ENERGY EFFICIENCY
NUCLEAR ENERGY
PERFORMANCE TESTING
POWER GENERATION
PROPULSION
REACTOR COOLING SYSTEMS
REACTOR CORES
RESERVOIR TEMPERATURE
THERMIONIC CONVERTERS
THERMIONIC DIODES
ALKALI METALS
COOLING SYSTEMS
DIODE TUBES
DIRECT ENERGY CONVERTERS
EFFICIENCY
ELECTRON TUBES
ELEMENTS
ENERGY
EXPERIMENTAL REACTORS
HYDRIDE MODERATED REACTORS
METALS
MOBILE REACTORS
POWER
POWER REACTORS
REACTORS
RESEARCH AND TEST REACTORS
TESTING
THERMIONIC TUBES
NESDPS Office of Nuclear Energy Space and Defense Power Systems
210600* - Power Reactors
Auxiliary
Mobile Package
& Transportable